CBSE

Class 10 Science
Revision Notes
CHAPTER – 8
HOW DO ORGANISM REPRODUCE

Reproduction is the process by which living organisms produce new individuals

similar to themselves. It basically involves the making copies of the blueprints of the
body design.
Reproduction ensures continuity of life on earth.
Chromosomes in the cell contain the information for inheritance of features which
are passed from generation to generation in form of DNA molecules.
so reproduction involves copying of DNA and other cell apparatuses. The copies will
be similar to original and not identical.
This property is Variation which is the basis and necessary for evolution of living
beings.
Variations help the species to withstand drastic environmental changes, thus save the
species from becoming extinct and promotes its survival for a longer time.

REPRODUCTION

Sexual Reproduction
Asexual Reproduction
1. Both Parents involved
1. A single parent is involved
2. Gametes are formed
2. Gametes not formed
3. Progeny is only genetically similar to
3.Progeny is Identical to parent
the parent but not identical

Asexual Reproduction is extremely useful as a mean of rapid multiplication. It is

common in lower plants and animals.

MODES OF ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION : the mode depends on the body design of the
organism.

1. FISSION:The parent cell divides/splits into two daughter cell-Binary Fission; splits into
many cells-multiple Fission.

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FISSION
Binary Fission
The parents cell divides into two equal halves
Equal halves (daughter cells) Multiple Fission
E.g. Amoeba follows transverse binary The parent cell divides into many
fission,i.e. fissin in any plane. daughter cell simultaneously.
->Leishmania has a whip-like structure at one Eg. Plasmodium
end and binary fission occurs in a definite
orientation.

the process where nucleus lengthens is NUCLEOKINESIS and where the cytoplasm
lenghthens is CYTOKINESIS.

2. BUDDING: A bud develops as an outgrowth on parent body due to repeated cell division at
a specific site. These buds detach from the parent body when they mature.

E.g. Hydra, yeast.

3. SPORE FORMATION : Spores which are present in sporangia, are small, bulb like

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structure which are covered by thick walls that protect them until they come in contact with
suitable condition. Under favourable conditions, they germinate and produce new Rhizopus
indiviual.

4. FRAGMENTATION : It takes place in multicellular organism with simple body

organisation.

It is the accidental process when the brokenpieces of an organism (fragments) grows into a
complete organism.

5. REGENERATION : When the simple animals like Hydra ,Planaria develop a new
individual from their broken older part it is known as regeneration. It is carried out by
specialised cells which divide and differentiate to form the complete individual. These cells
multiply and from this mass of cells other parts are generated. Regeneration follows an
organised sequence referred to as DEVELOPMENT.

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Vegetative Propagation

A mode of reproduction in which reproduction takes place from the vegetative parts like the
stem, root, leaves.

Methods of Vegetative Propagation

Natural

1. By Roots : E.g. adventitious roots of Dahlias

2. By Stems : E.g. Potato (tuber), ginger (rhizome)
3. By Leaves :E.g. leaves of bryophyllum bear adventitious buds (in the notches of leaf
margin) which develop into new plants.

Artificial
1. Grafting : E.g. Mango.
2. Cutting : E.g. Rose
3. Layering : E.g. Jasmine
4. Tissue adture : E.g. Orchids, Ornamental Plants.

Benefits of Vegetative Propagation

1. Plants can bear flowers, fruits earlier than those produced from seeds.
2. Growing plants like Banana, orange, rose, jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce
seeds.
3. Genetical similarity is maintained in the plants.
4. Helps in growing seedless fruits.

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5. Cheaper and easier method of growing plants.

Sexual Reproduction

When reproduction takes place as a result of fusion of two gamets, one from each parent, it is
called sexual reproduction.

The process of fusion of male and female gametes is called fertilization.

The formation of gamets involves exchange of chromosomal (genetic)fragments
between homologous chromosomes causing genetic recombination which leads to
variation.

Sexual Reproduction in Plants

It occurs mostly in flowering plants. In fact flowers are the reproductive organ of plants.

FLOWERS
Bisexual Flowers Multiple Fission
Both male and female reproductive The parent cell divides into many
part i.e., stamen & carpel are present daughter cell simultaneously.
& carpel are present. Eg. Hibiscus, mustard Eg. Plasmodium

A typical flower consists of four main whorls namely calyx (sepals), Corolla (Petals),
Androecium (Stamens) and Gynoecium (Carpels).

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Pollen grains of a flower , transfer to the stigma of the carpel of the same flower (Self-
Pollination)or to the stigma of carpel of the another flower (Cross-Pollination).
This transfer of pollens is achieved by agent like wind, water or animals.
After Pollination, a pollen tube grows out of pollen grains, through which male germ
cell reaches the ovary and fuses with the female germ cell.
Fertilization : The fusion of male and female gamete is called fertilization. It occurs
inside the ovary. Zygote is produced in this process.
OVARY->OVULE->EGG CELL AND POLAR NUCLEI.

Zygote divides several times to form an embryo within the ovule. The ovule develops
a tough coat and is converted into a seed.
Ovary grows rapidly and ripens to forms a fruit, while the seed contains the future
plant or embryo which develops into a seedling under suitable condition. This process
is known as Germination.
Flowers can also be unisexual(contain either stamen or carpel) or bisexual(contains

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 both stamen and carpel).
Unisexual flowers :PAPAYA ,WATERMELON .Bisexual flowers:HIBISCUS,MUSTARD.

Reproduction in Human Beings

Humans use a Sexual Mode of reproduction.

It needs sexual maturation which includes creation of the germ cells ie, egg (ova) in
the female and sperm in the male partener & this period of sexual maturation is
called Puberty.

Male Reproductive System

The formation of male germ cell (sperms) takes place in the testes(male reproductive
organ)
A pair of testes are located inside scrotum which is present outside the abdominal
cavity. Scrotum has a relatively low temperature needed for the production of sperms
by testes.
Testes release a male sex hormone called testosterone and its function is to:

1. Regulate the production of sperm

2. Bring about changes in appearance seen in boys at the time of puberty.

The sperms along with the secretion of prostate gland and seminalvesicle, together
constitute semen, which is released and made to enter into the female genital tract
during Copulation.

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Female Reproductive System

The female germ cells or eggs are produced in the ovaries. (located in both side of
abdomen).
When a girl is born, the ovaries already contain thousands of immature eggs.
At puberty, some of these eggs start maturing. One egg is produced every month by
one of the ovaries.

The Egg is carried from the ovary to the womb through a fallopian tube. These two
fallopian tube unite into an elastic bag like structure known as uterus.
The Uterus opens into the vagina through the cervix.
Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube of female genital tract.
The fertilized egg also called zygote (2n) gets implanted in the lining of the uterus, and
start dividing. Actually uterus is richly supplied with blood to nourish the growing
embryo. If zygote is not formed, the inner wall of uterus breaks which causes
bleeding through vagina. This process is called MENSTRUATION. It occurs at a
regular interval of 28 days.
The Embryo gets nutrition from the mother's blood with the help of a special tissue
called PLACENTA. It provides a large surface area for glucose and oxygen to pass from
the mother to the embryo. Similarly the wastes from developing embryo are removed
to mother's blood through placenta.
The time period from fertilization upto the birth of the baby is called Gestation
Period. In humans, it is about nine months (36 weeks).
The sexual cycle (Menstruation) in a woman continues upto the age of 45-50 years.
After that the ovaries do not release egg. This stage is called Menopause. It also marks
the end of the reproductive life of a woman.

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 Female sex hormones are oestrogen and progesterone which are produced by ovary.

Reprocutive Health:

a. Reproductive Health means a total well-being in all aspects of reproductive, i.e.,

physical emotional, social and behavioural.
b. Contraception : It is the avoidance of pregnancy. It can be achieved

c. Healthy society needs a balanced sex ratio that can be achieved by educating people
to avoid malpractices like female foeticide & prenatal sex determination.

What you have learnt

Reproduction, unlike other life processes, is not essential to maintain the life of an
individual organism.
Reproduction involves creation of a DNA copy and additional cellular apparatus by
the cell involved in the process.
Various organisms use different modes of reproduction depending on their body
design.
In fission, many bacteria and protozoa simply divide into two or more daughter cells.
Organisms such as hydra can regenerate if they are broken into pieces. They can also
give out buds which mature into new individuals.

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Roots, stems and leaves of some plants develop into new plants through vegetative
propagation.
These are examples of asexual reproduction where new generations are created from
a single individual.
Sexual reproduction involves two individuals for the creation of a new individual.
DNA copying mechanisms creates variations which are useful for ensuring the
survival of the species. Modes of sexual reproduction allow for greater variation to be
generated.
Reproduction in flowering plants involves transfer of pollen grains from the anther to
the stigma which is referred to as pollination. This is followed by fertilisation.
Changes in the body at puberty, such as increase in breast size in girls and new facial
hair growth in boys, are signs of sexual maturation.
The male reproductive system in human beings consists of testes which produce
sperms, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, urethra and penis.
The female reproductive system in human beings consists of ovaries, fallopian tubes,
uterus and vagina.
Sexual reproduction in human beings involves the introduction of sperm in the
vagina of the female. Fertilisation occurs in the fallopian tube.
Contraception to avoid pregnancy can be achieved by the use of condoms, oral pills,
copper-T and other methods.

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